W8R1- still struggling but done

[Lindsey1097]

A beautiful morning. Sunny, and once I got going it wasn't too cold either, despite there being a bit of ice on the ground.

So I know that as this programme gets closer to the end, it's going to get more challenging, but I am feeling like I have lost my rhythm. The last run I loved doing was 3 runs ago where I felt that everything just clicked into place and I was buzzing when I got home. Now I feel like nothing is coordinating. I take ages to reach a point that I feel comfortable, then I am flagging at the end. I know I've started to naturally speed up somehow but I am finding it difficult to slow back down, to settle into a comfortable pace. My average cadence has gone from about 140-about150 according to my watch. My music is all wrong as I can't work out what speed I want to run at. Some tracks I was loving running to, that kept me going, I dont seen to be able to use them the same anymore. It's frustrating.

I am totally determined to finish this so I won't give up. I'm still proud of my progress and want to succeed.

[Hidden]

Looks like beautiful weather! It’s good that you can identify the problem, I was going to suggest too speedy as well. Can you count to a certain time in your head, for example ‘1..2..3..4..1..2..3..4’ to help you keep that pace under control, allowing your foot to fall with each number?

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hidden I do sometimes try counting but it's getting the actual speed of that counting to be correct which is the problem. I've been using music with BPM to match my cadence. This really helps me to keep time and my previous week's have been massively helped by this. I will have to carefully rethink the playlist I think and really concentrate on not going too far next run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

Running faster than an easy conversational pace is going to mean that you are unlikely to be able to provide your muscles with enough oxygen for the duration of your run, leading to tiring quickly.

Learning to pace oneself, especially the recommended slower pace, is one of the toughest, but most essential skills for any new runner to master.

You will get there.

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you IannodaTruffe 😁 I will make sure I take extra care to place myself next run and slow right back down.

[Hidden]

Determination I can sense it in oodles Lindsey1097 that finish line is in sight 👍

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Most definitely. I hate to fail 😂 I can smell the end 🤩

[Teresafaith Graduate]

I, too struggled with finding a comfortable pace for the first few weeks of C25K, but I took the ( very repetitive) boring advice of all others in this forum and SLOWED DOWN!- I can now run at a very steady pace without even thinking about it or agonising over it - and I'm going to stay at this pace until I get a good few 5k' s under my belt, I'm sure I'll speed up a bit eventually but I'm not bovvered at the mo, just glad I can do 5k ! 😀🐌🤾‍♀️

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to Teresafaith]

I will go back to concentrating on going slow. Hopefully that will do the trick x

[BellaTheCook Graduate]

I actually stopped listening to music round about W7-8 for this very reason. When the runs were intermittent it didn't really matter that I hadn't found my correct pace - I still muddled through - but once the runs became continuous I found it easier to turn everything off (including the app), find the right steady pace to suit me (which was slower than I had previously been going) and just let my mind wander. Once I did that I started to enjoy it again (within the careful definition of 'enjoy' when taken in conjunction with 'running' 🤣).

I know you've said that your music has the right beat to match your cadence, but maybe that is stopping you from finding the right pace on the continuous runs? Anyway, it sounds like you are really determined, so you'll definitely get there. Good luck!

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to BellaTheCook]

Thank you Bella, that sounds like an option to try for a change. I just might do that ☺️

[NusiaFab Graduate]

First of all congratulations on reaching W8! The views are beautiful, looks like such a lovely place to run! I can see there was plenty of advise posted already, im a week behind so dont have much more insight but will keep my fingers crossed for you for your next run! You can do it!

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to NusiaFab]

Thank you, and good luck to you too 🤩🍀

[NusiaFab Graduate in reply to Lindsey1097]

Thank you, let's go!🏃‍♀️

[Zip54 Graduate]

I've just done the same run. My playlist has various speeds of music and I'm finding myself changing pace with the tracks which seems to make it more interesting.

[Lindsey1097 Graduate in reply to Zip54]

Ha, I suppose there is that 🤩 well done on your progress too.